City of Los Banos

City of Los Banos Municipal Water Report Info

City History Background
Our historical information draws from the work of the late Ralph L. Milliken and excerpts from vintage Los Banos Enterprise articles. For more comprehensive historical details, we recommend visiting the Milliken Museum (formerly the Los Banos Historical Museum), renamed to honor its longtime curator. Contact the Museum at (209) 826-5055.

Early History
Before its establishment, the land where Los Banos now stands was part of the Yakut Native American hunting grounds. The region's wetlands provided everything the indigenous people needed—abundant salmon, sturgeon, elk, and deer. For generations, the confluence of Beer Creek, Los Banos Creek, and the San Joaquin River's extensive watershed kept the area isolated from early Spanish exploration, allowing the Yokuts to live relatively undisturbed until the 18th century.

In 1805, Gabriel Moraga led a Spanish Cavalry expedition from the San Francisco Presidio to explore the San Joaquin Valley under orders from the Spanish Governor. These pioneers rode through what would eventually become Los Banos. Between 1808 and 1833, Spanish missionaries discovered the area during visits with Yokut tribes.

Padre Felipe Arroyo de la Cuesta found pools of water in mountain rocks that flowed into the San Joaquin Valley. He named these pools "Los Banos" (The Baths), which eventually led to naming the area "El Arroyo de Los Banos del Padre Arroyo"—later simplified to "Los Banos Creek." In 1873, pioneer Gus Kreyenhagen established a trading post near Los Banos Creek, which became the site of a Post Office bearing the name "Los Banos."

Agricultural Development
Henry Miller arrived in San Francisco in 1850 with just $6.00. After working as a butcher, he recognized California's need for higher-quality cattle. He acquired land throughout the San Joaquin Valley, eventually owning property spanning 120 miles along both sides of the San Joaquin River. In 1871, he formed the San Joaquin and Kings River Canal and Irrigation Company and introduced cotton, rice, and alfalfa crops to the valley. Miller's efforts to bring the railroad through the West Side influenced Los Banos' present location.

Agriculture remains Los Banos' primary industry, largely due to Henry Miller's early innovations. The city's population grew significantly after World War II with returning veterans and highway construction. Irrigation and dam projects in the 1960s attracted farmers seeking arable land. After stagnating between 1970-1985 when agriculture ceased to be a growth driver, Los Banos experienced renewed population growth after 1990, boosted by its proximity to Bay Area employment centers. Today, many residents choose Los Banos for its affordable housing and convenient access to the Bay Area.